Hey, it's my birthday tomorrow too! And I live in Edinburgh. I'm celebrating at The Tourmalet (yep, a cycle themed pub) just off Leith Walk. Should be a good mix of folk there tomorrow - say hi if you swing by. I'm the injured one getting sympathy from the barmaid. It's a great pub. Victoria, just a short way down the walk is also a really nice place.

Have you been to Edinburgh before? Just soak it up - wander around the Royal Mile, Holyrood, climb Arthurs Seat or Calton Hill (the better option in this heat), All the parks will be busy and there's a nice atmosphere on the Meadows or Inverleith Park. Walk along the river from Stockbridge through Dean Village to the Gallery of Modern Art or proper busy seaside at Porty beach.

National Gallery. If the Three graces are there, then that is worth seeing on its own. A quick google doesn't show if it is there or at the V&A at the moment.

Look at a small bronze statue of a man on horse, then go to the Royal Mile, opposite the heart of Midlothian, and see the full size statue.

Greyfriars Kirk to see the tombs and mausoleums, possibly a visit on the Sunday for a service in Gaelic?

The National Museum. If you have read Rebus, you'll know of the tiny dolls found near Arthurs Seat, which inspried him to write about them. Go up to the top, open garden for great views.
A walk up to Arthurs Seat. Well, ok, get a Taxi up, then walk down.
Calton Hill and take a 'classic' photo looking down Princes St.
Walk up the 200+ steps of the Scott Monument for great views too. Wonder at the fat Americans who think they can get up.
Have a picnic in Princes St. gardens. Look up local info to see if a band are playing on the stand.
Wander round the Old Town, looking in the tiny closes. Mary Kings Close is the best, blocked off for 150 or so years, now open, but book in advance only iirc.
Have a pint in one of the many bars in the Old Town.
Avoid the Royal Mile whenever possible, unless you want to buy some tartan branded tat.

So give me your favourite places to eat and drink! We arrive at about 8ish on friday so something local to our hotel (york place) would be good for a bite and a drink. And all options considered for saturday/sunday!

If you're in York Place you have a few restaurants nearby - head East and opposite the Playhouse there's curry (Kushi's), an excellent Thai (Thai Pavillion), Turkish (Pomegranate)... If you want good Scottish food, The Dogs and Stac Polly are nearby - google em see what you think.

Has anybody had any experience of the Premier Inn which i believe is on the quayside at Leith.
We're looking to go in Sept for a few nights and wondered if it was too far out of the centre or the position was pretty good for most of Edinburgh.